Lawn sprinkler



Dec. 5, 1950 R. BROWN ET AL 2,532,356

LAWN SPRINKLER Filed March 25, 1948 2 Sheefcs-Sheet 1 I I NTOR ROBINS B N J WLW ATTORNEYS R. BROWN ET AL Dec. 5, 1950 LAWN SPRINKLER 2 Sheets-$heet 2 a wmw guy Filed March 25, 1948 H U U U mw 7 O I VII/711111)) i \b. H

INVENTORS ROBINSON BROWN BY HUGH E. METCALF 9 W 1 7% ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 5, 1950 LAWN SPRINKLER Robinson Brownand Hugh E. Metcalf, San Antonio, Tex., assignors to Institute of Industrial Research, San Antonio, Tex., a foundation of Texas Application March 25, 1948, Serial No. 16,903

8 Glaims. 1

This invention relates to lawnsprinklers.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved and simplified lawn sprinkler in which control is provided over the arcuate coverage made by the water-spray.

It is convenient to be able to control the s read or coverage made by a sprinkler so that water will not be wasted in areas that do not need sprinkling. Thus, it is desirable to be able to control the spread of the water-spray over an arc of 90 up to full coverage of 360".

It is therefore the object, of this invention to provide a simplified device that will regulate the angle at which the water is discharged from the sprinkler.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the drawings and the following description.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevational view of a lawn sprinkler incorporating the features of this invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2 illustrating the control valve of the sprinkler in position to regulate the sprinkler spread to 90.

Figure 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view similar to Figure 3 but in which the sprinkler spread is controlled to 180.

Figure 5 is a transverse similar to Figure 3 but in spread is controlled to 270.

Figure 6 is a transverse cross-sectional view similar to Figure 3 in which the sprinkler spread is 360.

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the lower portion of the ,device shown in Figure 2 which illustrates the indexing member for identifying the position of the control valve of the sprinkler.

Figure 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a slightly modified design of the sprinkler and illustrates the control valve of the device in position for 360 spread of the sprinkler.

Figure 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view similar to Figure 8 with the control valve in position to control the spread of the spinkler to 180.

Figure 10 is a vertical cross sectional view similar to Figure 8 but with: the control valve in position toregulate the spread of the sprinkler to 90.

Figure 11 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along line l|-'-ll of Figure 3.

oross-sectional View which the sprinkler Figure 12 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along line i2--l2 of Figure 9.

Figure 13 is a transverse cr0ss-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of Figure 10.

In this invention the sprinkler consists of a base having a vertical stand-pipe 2t which may have an inlet water connection 22. A spinner 23 is carried upon the vertical stand-pipe 2|.

The vertical stand-pipe 2i may form the body for the sprinkler, or the body can be made a separate element attached to the stand-pipe. However, the same reference numeral can be used for this element.

The body 2! is provided with an axial chamber 25 into which water under pressure is delivered. This chamber 25 is provided with one large arouate slot 26 and two smaller openings 2'! and 28, which slot and openings are all at the same level in the body 2 l An annular sleeve valve 29 is composed of two parts consisting of a sleeve valve body 39 and an inner sleeve 3| that are secured together in any suitable manner. The sleeve valve body 29 has four elongated slots 32, 33, 3d and all arranged at the same level in the sleeve valve body. When the sleeve valve is mounted upon the body 2! in the manner shown in Figure 2, the slots 32, 33, 34 and 35 are at the same level as the openings 26, TL and 23 in the body 2!.

The sleeve 3! is provided with two long slots 36 and 31, a somewhat shorter slot 33 and a still smaller opening at, all of which are at the same level as the slots 32, 3-3, at and 35 in the sleeve valve body 353 and at the same level as the openings 26, 2? and 25 in the body 2!.

The sleeve valve 29 is rctatably carried upon the body 25 and rests upon an annular boss 60 that projects from the body ill. The position of the openings in the sleeve valve relative to the openings in the body 2| controls the arcuate degree of coverage of the sprinkler.

To hold the sleeve valve in place, an annular ring 4! is secured to the sleeve valve body (it! by the threaded engagement 42, the sleeve 4! engaging the opposite side of the projection 40. However, clearances are such that by grasping the knurled end 13 of the sleeve 4! the sleeve and the valve 29 can be rotated.

A pin M extending through a slot indicates the degree of coverage that can be made by the sprinkler when the pin lines up with any one of the indices on the exterior of the sleeve, as indicated in Figure '7. l

The sleeve valve 29 is provided with an annular projection 45. A spinner body 4! is journaled on the sleeve valve 29 and has a recess 48 into which the projection to extends. An annular ring 59 is held within the spinner body ll by the threaded connection 58, thus holding the spinner body on the sleeve valve 29.

The spinner body i? is provided with a plurality of radiating arms i each of which has an outlet opening 52 for distributing the water.

To regulate the degree of arcuate coverage of the water distributed by the spinner, the sleeve valve 29 can be placed in the various positions illustrated in Figures 3, 4i, 5 and 6, the valve being rotated in a counter-clockwise direction and the arcuate coverage being 95, 180, 270 and 360, respectively.

With the sleeve valve 29 in the position shown in Figure 3, water from the central chamber 25 will pass through the opening 26 into the slot 32 in the valve 29. Thus, as the spinner arms 55 pass across the slot 82, water will be distributed. The distribution will be controlled within an arc of approximately 90.

When the sleeve valve 28 is rotated counterclockwise into the position shown in Fig. 4, water will pass from the ch mber 25 through the opening 26 into the slots 32 and 35 in the sleeve valve 29. It will thus be seen that the control of distribution of the water upon rotation of the spinner will be through an arc of 180.

With the valve 29 rotated into the position illustrated in Figure 5, water will pass from the central chamber 25 through the opening 28 into the slots 82 and 35 as in Figure l. But additionally, water will also pass from the central chamber 25 through the small opening 2? into the slot 33 in the valve 29. Thus, the water will be distributed by the spinner over an arc of 270.

With the Valve 29. rotated into the position shown in Figure 6, water will pass from the 03m tral chamber 25 through the opening 26 into the slots 32 and 35 as before, and through the opening 21 into the slot 33 as in Figure 5. But additionally, water will pass through the opening 28 into the slot 34. By this arrangement of the valve relative to the body, water will distributed by the spinner throughout its entire rotation of 350.

In Figures 8 to 13 there is illustrated a slightly modified arrangement of the sprinkler. In this modification the sprinkler consists of the body it!!! that has a central chamber it! in it. A water inlet conduit E82 delivers water into the chamber Mil. Outlet openings for the water from the chamber it are provided in the form of a plurality of slots or ports E83 which are positioned radially in the body H39 and all at the same level.

The outlet ports I83 are provided in a reduceddiameter portion of the body 588, this reduceddiameter portion forming a bearing its and a shoulder N35 to receive a spinner body wt. The spinner body E86 is provided with a plurality of radiating arms ml, each of which has a water outlet port E58 that aligns with the ports H33 in the body Ell].

The upper portion of the body Hi8 above the spinner body we is further reduced in diameter and receives a cap H39 which is held on the body Hill by the threaded connection H6. The cap IE9 also holds the spinner body We in position on the body not.

A sleeve valve l i5 is provided to control the arcuate degree of distribution of the water by the spinner. This sleeve valve H 5 is slidably received in the central chamber lei of the body Hit and is provided with a central chamber H8.

The sleeve valve I5 is also provided with a pair of arcuate slots ill and H8 which are and of are respectively.

The sleeve valve 5 i5 is provided with an actuator or stem l is that has indicating marks on it to indicate the position of the sleeve valve relative to the outlet ports in the body 988. The top of the actuator may carry an indicating arrow l2! which points in the direction of distribution of the water-spray when using either of the slots ill or H8 in the valve H5.

With the valve in the position shown in Figure 8 water will be distributed through all of the radial openings lot, thus giving 360 distribution of water by the spinner.

When the valve 5 i5 is in the position shown in Figure 9, the slot 5 is aligns with the openings I83, and as shown in Figure 12, will block off approximately one-half the outlet ports I03. With the valve in this position the distribution of water will be controlled to 180 during rotation of the spinner.

When the valve l i5 is in the position shown in Figure 10, the slot i l! is aligned with the ports 83, and as will be seen from Figure 13, the distribution of water by the spinner will be controlled to an arc of 90.

While the apparatus disclosed and described herein constitute preferred forms of the invention, yet it will be understood that modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and that the modifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims are intended to be included herein.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A sprinkler consisting of, a body having an axial chamber therein to receive Water under pressure, said body having a water inlet opening for said chamber, a spinner mounted axially on said body for rotation thereon, said spinner having outlet passages for distributing water in a circular area inscribed about said body by the water discharging from the spinner, outlet pas-v sages in said body adapted to cooperate with said spinner outlet passages, a slide valve axially slidable in said body and rotatable therein relative to said body outlet passages and having waterfiow passages therein selectively positionable relative to said body outlet passages upon reciprocal and rotative movement of the valve within said bod to confine the water discharged by said spinner to selected segments of the circle inscribed by said spinner, and means engaging said slide valve to reciprocate the same in said body for selection of a segment over which water is discharged and to rotate said valve to select the radial position of the said discharge about said body.

2. A s rinkler consisting of, a body having an axial chamber therein to receive water under pressure, said body having a water inlet opening for said chamber, a spinner mounted axially on said body for rotation thereon. said spinner having outlet passages for distributing water in a circular area inscribed about said body by the water discharging from the spinner, outlet passages in said body adapted to cooperate with said spinner outlet passages, a slide valve axially slidable in said body and rotatable therein relative to said body outlet passages and having waterfiow passages therein selectively positionable relative to said body outlet passages upon reciprocal and rotative movement of the valve within said body to confine the water discharged by said spinner spinner, and an actuating member connected with.

said sleeve valve and projecting beyond said body to reciprocate the valve in said body for selection of a segment over which water is discharged and to rotate said valve to select the radial position of the said discharge about said body.

3. A sprinkler consisting of, a body having an axial chamber therein to receive water under pressure, said body having a water inlet opening for said chamber, a spinner mounted axially on said body for rotation thereon, said spinner having outlet passages for distributing water in a circular area inscribed about said body by the water discharging from the spinner, outlet passages in said body adapted to cooperate with said spinner outlet passages, a slide valve axially slidable in said body and rotatable therein relative to said body outlet passages and having Waterflow passages therein selectively positionable relative to said body outlet passages upon reciprocal and rotative movement of the valve within said body to confine the water dis-charged by said spinner to selected segments of the circle inscribed by said spinner, and an actuating member connected with said sleeve valve and projecting beyond said body to reciprocate the valve in said body for selection of a segment over which water is discharged and to rotate said valve to select the radial position of the said discharge about said body, said actuating member having indicating marks thereon to establish the position of said valve relative to said body outlet passages.

4. A sprinkler consisting of, a body having a central chamber to receive water under pressure and a water inlet opening for said chamber, said body having a reduced diameter portion forming a shoulder there-on and for receiving a spinner, a spinner rotatable on said reduced diameter portion and supported by said shoulder, said spinner having outlet passages therein for distributing water in a circular area inscribed about said body by the Water discharging from the spinner, water outlet passages in said body at the level of said reduced diameter portion thereof for communication with the outlet passages in said spinnor, a cap member removably carried on said body and having a portion thereof disposed immediately above said spinner to prevent removal of said spinner from said reduced diameter portion, a sleeve valve slidably and rotatably movable in said central chamber relative to said body outlet passages and having a pluralit of waterfiow pas ages therein at different levels, each of said waterflow passages in said sleeve valve having a different arcuate length to confine the waterflow to said spinner outlet passages to selected segments of the circular area inscribed about said body by water discharging from said spinner, and means engaging said sleeve valve and extending to the exterior of said body to reciprocate said sleeve valve in said central chamber to selectively align one of said wateriiow passages of said valve with said body outlet passages to select a circular area to be inscribed by water discharging from said spinner and for rotating said valve to select the radial position of the so inscribed area about said body.

5. A sprinkler consisting of, a body having a central chamber to receive water under pressure and water inlet opening for said chamber, said body having a reduced diameter portion forming a shoulder thereon and for receiving a spinner, a spinner rotatable on said reduced diameter portion and supported by said shoulder, said spinner having outlet passages therein for distributing water in a circular area inscribed about said body by the water discharging from the spinner, water outlet passages in said body at the level of said reduced diameter portion thereof for-communication with the outlet passages in said spinner, a cap member removably carried on said body and having a portion thereof disposed immediately above said spinner to prevent removal of said spinner from said reduced diameter portion, a sleeve valve slidably and rotatably movable in said central chamber relative to said body outlet passages and having a plurality of waterflow passages therein at difierent levels, each of said wateriiow passages in said sleeve valve having a different arcuate length to confine the Waterflow to said spinner outlet passages to selected segments of the circular area inscribed about said body by Water discharging from said spinner, and an actuating member connected with said sleeve valve and projecting through said cap to reciprocate said sleeve valvein said central chamher to selectively align one of said waterflow passages of said valve with said body outlet passages to select a circular area to be inscribed by water discharging from said spinner and for rotating said valve to select the radial position of the so inscribed area about said body.

6. A sprinkler consisting of, a body having a central chamber to receive water under pressure and a water inlet opening for said chamber, said body having a reduced diameter portion forming a shoulder thereon and for receiving a spinner, a spinner rotatable on said reduced diameter portion and supported by said shoulder, said spinner having outlet passages therein for distributing water in a circular area inscribed about said body by the water discharging from the spinner, water outlet passages in said body at the level of said reduced diameter portion thereof for communication with the outlet passages in said spinner, a cap member removably carried on said body and having a portion thereof disposed immediately above said spinner to prevent removal of said spinner from, said reduced diameter portion, a sleeve valve slidably and rotatably movable in said central chamber relative to said body outlet passages and having a plurality of waterflow passages therein at difierent levels, each of said Waterflow passages in said sleeve valve having a difierent arcuate length to confine the waterflow to said spinner outlet passages to selected segments of the circular area inscribed about said body by water discharging from said spinner, an actuating member connected with said sleeve valve and projecting through said cap to reciprocate said sleeve valve in said central chamber to selectively align one of said waterflow passages of said valve with said body outlet passages to select a circular area to be inscribed by water dischargin from said spinner and for rotating said valve to select the radial position of the so inscribed area about chamber, a spinner around said body and having outlet passages therein for distributing water in a circular area inscribed about said body by the water discharging from the spinner, outlet passages in said body adapted to communicate with said spinner outlet passages, and a sleeve valve slidably rotatable on said bod and having Water flow passages therein in the same plane as the outlet passages in said body on rotation of said sleeve valve to confine the water flow to the spinner outlet passages to selected segments of the circular area inscribed selectively around said body.

8. A sprinkler consisting of, a body having a central chamber to receive water under pressure, said body having a Water inlet opening for said chamber, a spinner around said body and having outlet passages therein for distributing water in a circular area inscribed about said body by the water discharging from the spinner, outlet passages in said body adapted to communicate with said spinner outlet passages, and 0 a sleeve valve slidably movable on said body and having Water flow passages therein movable rela- 8 l tive to said body outlet passages in the same plane thereof upon movement of said sleeve valve to confine water flow to said spinner outlet passages to selected segments of the circular area so inscribed around said body, said sleeve valve bein selectively reciprocable and rotatable on said body for movement of said passages in said sleeve valve relative to said outlet passages in said body to regulate the arcuate degree and radial position of Water discharged by said spinner.

ROBINSON BROWN.

HUGH E. METCALF.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 555,810 France Mar. 31, 1923 675,064 France Oct. 28, 1929 

